An overview of Yamaha RX-V385BL and Marantz SR6014 will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-V385BL received 4.7 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz SR6014 was rated 9.2 points. The release date of RX-V385BL is 2018, and SR6014 is 2019. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that RX-V385BL is inferior in audio processing features to SR6014.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-V385BL supports 5.1-channels sound, but Marantz SR6014 supports a 9.2-channels configuration.
RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the SR6014 this value is 110/8 W/Ohm, and for the RX-V385BL it is 70/8 W/Ohm.
RX-V385BL | SR6014 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 5.1 | 9.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 70/8, 145/6 | 110/8, 185/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.09 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-V385BL 5 out of 10, and the SR6014 - 10.
Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible on the SR6014.
Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Marantz SR6014 has Pure Direct mode.
Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.
Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Marantz SR6014 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
RX-V385BL | SR6014 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✖ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✖ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | ✖ | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✔ |
Other audio features | CINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha RX-V385BL scored 6, and Marantz SR6014 scored 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
RX-V385BL | SR6014 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✖ | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
RX-V385BL | SR6014 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio |
The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Yamaha RX-V385BL got 7 points, but Marantz SR6014 received 10 points.
Yamaha RX-V385BL is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz SR6014 has 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the SR6014 has a Phono interface.
RX-V385BL | SR6014 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 4/1 | 8/3 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.3 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 1 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 2 |
Composite input | 2 | 3 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 2/1 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, AUX | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX |
Multi channel preamp output | ✖ | ✔ |
The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the RX-V385BL were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the SR6014.
RX-V385BL | SR6014 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/60Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | ✖ | analog to HDMI |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | HLG, BT.2020 | HLG |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-V385BL got 5 points, but the SR6014 has 10.
Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The SR6014 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI.
RX-V385BL | SR6014 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI |
App control | ✖ | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle |
Display | colour OSD | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✖ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✖ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✖ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | IP Control, Web Control |
As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.
RX-V385BL | SR6014 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | has not | 2 |
Zone audio output | has not | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | has not | ✔ |
Multi-room control | has not | Marantz AVR Remote App, HEOS App |
RS-232 | 0 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 1/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 1 |
Yamaha RX-V385BL got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz SR6014 got 9.
Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Marantz SR6014 can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.
DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available on the SR6014.
IMAX Enhanced is a licensing and certification program under which home theater devices deliver crisp 4K HDR pictures and powerful sound as it was designed by the IMAX engineers. The SR6014 licensed by IMAX.
RX-V385BL | SR6014 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✖ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✖ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization |
DTS:X | ✖ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✔ |
DTS Neural:X | ✖ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✔ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✔ |